Mushrooms & Candida

I have read that mushrooms as a food are not nutritious at all and may cause a Candida infections. Is this true?

Types of edible mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a traditional food for health and longevity in many of the Asian countries. Different species of mushrooms, such as Reishi, Shitake, Maitake and Oyster mushrooms are known to contain health benefits to support the immune system, nervous system and circulation and also provide many nutrients such as amino acids, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc and B Vitamins and Folic acid in smaller amounts. Regular mushrooms, such as the White Champignon or the field mushroom which are readily available from stores in Australia do not contain many nutrients or therapeutic properties and are more widely used as a food rather than for medicinal reasons.

The healthiest diet is the one that is varied and full of colours. A healthy diet includes many different kinds of foods and like you mentioned especially green leafy cholorophyll rich foods(alkalising). You will notice that different cultures who refrain from or include different foods in their diets experience different health matters when compared to other regions of the world. For example, the different culinary choices of the Italians result in a lower incidence of hypertension due to the amounts of olives and olive oil (Omega 3 essential fatty acids) in their diet. When compared to other countries which do not consume plenty of raw olive oil in their diets we see a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases are present.

Mushrooms, fungus' and candida.

In regards to your question concerning mushrooms and candida, mushrooms are best avoided by individuals who suffer from digestive overgrowths of bacteria.

Candida (intestinal dysbiosis) is caused by an opportunistic microflora which over proliferates in the body when the conditions are right, such as an acidic, damp and sugary environment. If you are concerned about over proliferation of this flora then follow a strict anti-Candida diet and this will naturally kill off the candida. It is recommended by most Naturopaths to do a "sloughing off" diet for at least 2 months.

Diet tips for fungal infections

Increase water intake to flush the kidneys and bowels of wastes and acidity
Introduce herbal teas to increase your water intake and cleanse the digestion. Teas such as Peppermint, Ginger, Echinacea, Lemongrass and Fennel are ideal
Begin each day with a small glass of warm water with 1/2 lemon squeezed into it. Lemon cleanses the bowels, switches on the liver and also helps to alkalise the blood
Increase the amount of garlic in your diet as garlic is an antimicrobial due to its sulphur content. Also include ginger and chilli in the diet as these are beneficial to encourage digestion and cleansing
Have a vegetable juice each day such as carrot, celery, ginger and beetroot. See our tasty juice recipes page for other juice blend ideas
Include more bitter foods in your diet such as lemon, rocket, endive and beetroot leaves
Eliminate simple sugars from your diet such as sugar, honey, cakes, breads, chocolate, biscuits and bakery type foods
Eliminate fermented foods from your diet such as mushrooms, vinegar, apple cider vinegar, alcohol, wine, bread and yeasts

Lifestyle factors for fungal infections

Support liver, digestion and detoxification processes by eliminating tea, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks and cordial
Address underlying Candida infestation
Many pharmaceutical medications may contribute to Candida/ fungal proliferation (antibiotics, oral contraceptive pill)

Natural remedies for a fungal infection

Some herbs which help to kill and expel the overgrowth of bacteria from the digestive tract are Pau D'arco, Wormwood, Dandelion, Rhubarb, Black Cumin, Oregon Grape, Bitter Orange, Cloves, Gentian, Neem, Golden Seal, Garlic, Thuja, Black Walnut, Olive leaf, Echinacea, Agrimony and Barberry
Probiotics may help to rebalance the flora of the bowel as many conditions of Candida are directly contributed to the wrong bacteria being housed in the bowel. Probiotics help to recorrect this imbalance and reduce symptoms such as bloating, thrush and constipation
Super greens such as Green Barley powder, Wheat grass, Chlorophyll or Spirulina are blood cleanser and help to alkalise the pH balance of the blood which will decrease the survival rate of the fungal infection

For further information see the Ask a Naturopath.com webpages concerning Candida and Candida food choices